John Franklin CLIPPARD

CLIPPARD, John Franklin - age 87, of Swartz Creek, died Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Genesys Health Park. Services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 3, 2010 at Court Street United Methodist Church, 225 W. Court St., Flint with Rev. Robert Wright officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM Sunday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd and from 10 AM until the time of service at the church on Monday. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Muscular Dystrophy Association or Court Street United Methodist Church. Born July 18, 1922 to Lloyd and Lois (Dempsey) Clippard in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Flushing High School in 1940 and joined the Army Air Corp in 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor. He served as a pilot in World War II as a troop carrier and glider pickup pilot flying C-47 aircraft. After discharge from the Army, he obtained a teaching degree from Michigan State Normal College (EMU), after which he earned both a Masters and Specialist Degree in Education. He was recalled to the military during the Korean Conflict, serving his country in the newly formed Air Force. He served by teaching Air Force Cadets at Serve Air Aviation in Kinston, North Carolina how to fly. In 1959 he returned to the Flint area where he worked teaching science at McKinley Junior High School. In 1969, he joined the faculty at Mott Community College where he remained until his retirement in 1987. He was extremely proud of the fact that during his aviation teaching career, none of his students ever failed an FAA Check Ride. John married Judith Haddan in 1965. They had two daughters, Heidi and Denise. John is survived by his wife: Judith, daughters: Heidi Clippard and Denise (Russ) Diller, grandchildren: Sydney and Lucas (Diller), sisters: Alma Emerson of Wister, OK and Kathryn Sanders of Swartz Creek and sister-in-law Mary Spencer of National City, MI, his Aunt Inez Rial of FL and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Lois and his brother Thomas. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Sunday, May 2, 2010 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States

Visitation

Monday, May 3, 2010 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Court Street United Methodist Church
225 W. Court St Flint 48502, United States

Funeral Service

Monday, May 3, 2010 11:00 AM
Court Street United Methodist Church
225 W. Court St Flint 48502, United States